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THE 

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r** AND 



9 

COMPLETE GUIDE 

In all the various Methods by which to Capture all kinds of 
Game, Fur Animals, &c. Also, Full Directions how to 

Cure and Tan all Kinds of Skins, &c„ 6c, 



TOGETHER WITH 



NUMEROUS ARTS, SECRETS, 

And much other Valuable and Interesting Reading 
Matter not to be obtained elsewhere. 

By an Experienced Woodsman. 




HINSDALE, N. H. . 

HUNTER & CO., PUBLISHER gY~~" 
1869. 






~iSte^r^rftog^o^nF(>^s^^ 1868, 

BY HUNTER & CO., 
In the Clerk's Office of the District of NewHampshlre. 



PKEFACE. 



The publishers of this work having had for several years 
frequent calls for a reliable and complete Guide to Hunting and 
Trapping, &c, and as there has been ho cheap work in the 
market and but one or two works on the subject at any price, 
have determined to publish the present work with a view to 
supply the demands of their own trade and also to furnish the 
public a work at once cheap and reliable. In a work of this 
size and price it is of course impossible to give at length all the 
various and diverse methods, but its author has endeavored to 
give the best and most successful methods as followed by old 
and experienced hunters and trappers who have made trapping 
their business through life. The author has availed himself of 
many facts from various works on Natural History, and while 
in many points imperfections will be found, yet, as a whole, he 
trusts this work will be for its size and price the best work on 
the subject. This work is designed for those who have not had 
extensive experience, but those who have made a business of 
trapping and hunting will find it of value. 

With the hope that it will prove of value to every reader it is 
presented to the public. 



TO THE READER. 

It is hardly necessary to inform the reader that 
this work has been prepared for the purpose of sup- 
plying the want of a cheap work on hunting, trapping, &c. 
No work at a low price" has ever been published. The 
present volume is intended to furnish such a work, and at 
a price that will allow it to be obtained by all who desire 
it. We have not tried to exhaust the subject, for no book 
of the size of this can do the subject justice, but we think 
after a perusal, the reader will say that what is herein 
given is worth the money, which is all we ask. There is 
only one really reliable "Trapper's Guide," other than our 
present small one. The book to which we refer is pub- 
lished by the "Oneida Community," and is a large volume 
of 280 octavo pages, with thirty-two full page illustrations, 
and numerous wood cuts of traps and trapper's appliances. 
It is well printed and bound in cloth, gilt; Price $1.50. 
Among its contents are numerous narratives of hunting and 
trapping, and very much interesting and instructive mat- 
ter to the general' reader, and the trapper in particular. 
The cecond edition has been published, and the publishers 
of this work will always have the book in stock, and will 
at any time mail it to any address on receipt of the price, 
$1.50. They also supply "The Woods and Waters of the 
Saranac," by Alfred B. Street. A large, cloth, gilt book, 
of 350 pages, devoted to hunting and fishing ; experiences 
among the witids of Northern New York ; price $2.00, 
The author of this work confidentially recommends both 
the above named works to all who wish to pursue the sub- 
ject farther than this book carries it ; but he also trusts 
that his work may be, for its size and price, acceptably 
received by those for whom it is intended by 

THE AUTHOR. 



THE SEASON FOR TRAPPING. 

Winter is the best season for hunting and trap- 
ping, as then all furs are more valuable and in 
better condition ; but trapping is carried on suc- 
cessfully for five or six months in the year, or at 
any time between October and April. From May 
1st, to September, furs are worthless. In fact, it 
is of little use to trap except in the late fall and 
early spring. Most fur animals are in their prime 
about the first of November, although Muskrat and 
Beaver is not fully in its prime until near the mid- 
dle of winter Experience is necessary as in any 
other occupation, as a trapper may commence too 
early and\hereby get poor fur, which is not only 
unprofitable for them but also for the dealer and 
manufacturer. The leading fur in this country is 
Mink, and it commands the highest price. Oppos- 
sum and Muskrat are the most generally worn, 
their price placing them within the reach of the 
masses. In the United States, New York is the 
great fur depot. Over one hundred firms in that 
City being engaged in the fur trade. The value 
of the whole amount of the fur trade of the world 
is about one hundred millions yearly. In Russia, 
Raccoon fur is the staple. In England, France 
and Germany, Muskrat is preferred. 



6 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

THE ART OF TRAPPING. 

Many animals are valuable not only for their fura 
but for food. Those valuable only for food can be 
run down by dogs or shot. But probably the most 
profitable method is to capture them by steel traps, 
which can now be made at reasonable prices, and in 
size to suit all circumstances, Among other meth- 
ods is capturing them by 

POISONING. 

Strychnine is most generally used. Take what 
can be put in a common percussion cap and put it 
firmly in a piece of tallow, not larger than a wal- 
nut, and leave it where the animal will find it. 
After swallowing the dose the animal will drop 
dead within a half dozen rods of the place. Pois- 
oning is not in favor, as it spoils the skin and fur. 

SHOOTING. 

This is the principal method in Russia^ but it is 
a wasteful method. Some manufacturers consider 
shot furs as of hardly any value for working, as a 
shot striking at one end of an animal will frequently 
run the entire length, shaving the hair like a razor, 
and of course spoiling the looks, necessitating 
that portion to be slit and the piece taken ©ut. 
Shooting is going out of date with many trappers. 

THE DEAD FALL. 

This can be made anywhere with an axe and 
plenty of work. It is at best a clumsy contri- 
vance, but is much used in some parts of the 
country. Take two large poles — or if for bears or 



AND TKAPPEB'S COMPANION. 7 

large animals, two logs, and place one over the 
other, keeping them in place by four stakes, two 
on each side. The upper log should be raised at 
one end high enough above the lower one to admit 
the entrance of an animal. It is kept in that po- 
sition by the contrivance commonly called the 
"figure four." A pen is then made with sticks, 
brush, &c, and on one side of this structure, but 
at right angles to it, and the spindle projects ob- 
liquely into this pen, so that the bait attached to 
it is about eight inches beyond the sides of the 
pole. To reach the bait the animal has to place 
his body between the poles and at right angles to 
them, and on pulling the spindle springs the "fig- 
ure four" and is crushed. The only objection to 
this contrivance is that it takes quite a long time 
to make and set one, thus taking time, and more- 
over, animals thus caught are exposed to a catch 
by other animals which is not the case with those 
caught in steel traps. Besides this, the "dead 
fall" is quite uncertain, and some sportsmen will 
have nothing to do with them whatever. 

STEEL TRAPS. 

After all other methods have been tried and 
practiced by professional trappers, none has as jet 
been found to equal the old fashioned steel trap. 
These if well made are the safest and surest, and 
certainly cheapest method of capturing fur animals. 
They can be easily carried, can be set anywhere, 
even under water, can be attended in great num- 
bers and what is of more value the steel trap does 
not injure the fur. There are many and numerous 



8 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

traps, each adapted for different animals. The 
essential properties of a good trap are about as 
follows. 

The Jaws should not be too thin or sharp cor- 
nered. If made of sheet iron or too sharp the 
spring will quite often cut off the limb of an ani- 
mal, and nearly all animals that get away do so by 
self-amputation. Neither should the pan be too 
large. A pan filling the whole space may seem to 
increase the animal's chances for being caught, but 
it is not so. When an animal springs a trap by 
treading on the edge of the pan his foot is near the 
jaw, and instead of being caught it is liable to be 
thrown out by a stroke of the jaw, whereas if he 
treads on a small pan his foot is in the center of 
the sweep of the jaw and he is very sure of being- 
caught. 

The spring of a trap should be carefully exam- 
ined and be sure that it is strong enough, and be 
well tempered, if not it may break when set in the 
water, or in dry, cold weather; all springs and jaws 
must work easily, great care should be taken as to 
this . Be sure in purchasing to attend to all these 
points and examine the trap carefully throughout ; 
this is of great importance. In trapping there 
are various land animals, such as the Marten, that 
it is necessary to provide against their being de- 
voured by other animals before the hunter reaches 
them, and also to prevent their breaking the traps 
by violence or gnawing off their limbs. Such a 
contrivance is the spring pole, which is made as 
follows : If a small tree can be found near the 
tarp, trim it and use it for a spring as it is. If 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 9 

none is near the trap cut one of sufficient size and 
having driven it firmly in the ground, bend down 
the top and fasten the chain ring into it, and fasten 
the pole in its bent position by a notch or hook on 
a small tree, only driving a stick into the ground ; 
when the animal is caught his struggles will un- 
hook the pole which will go up with a jerk, carrying 
him into the air out of reach of prowlers, and where 
he cannot gnaw himself free. 

THE SLIDING POLE 

is prepared thus : Cut a pole ten foot long and leave 
branches on the small end to prevent the ring 
slipping off. Place this pole near }^our trap in an 
inclined position with its small end reaching into 
the deepest part of the stream and its large end 
secured at the bank by a hook driven into the 
ground ; slip the ring of your chain on this and see 
that it can traverse freely down the fall length of 
the pole ; when the animal is caught it will plunge 
desperately into the region toward which the pole 
leads, of course the ring slides down to the end of 
the pole at the bottom of the stream, and with a 
short chain prevents the animal from rising to the 
surface or reaching the shore. The clog is inten- 
ded to encumber large animals so that while they 
can draw it about they will not tear themselves on 
the trap. Probably few of our readers will ever 
have occasion to use it. 

BAITING ANIMALS. 

An old trapper says "never put bait on the pan 
of the trap." Old fashioned traps were always 



10 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

made with holes in the pan to tie on bait, and near- 
ly all green trappers imagine that the true way is 
to attract the animals nose straight into the trap. 
This is not the way by any means. It is very 
rare to catch an animal by the head, most usually 
they are caught by a leg. If an animal pulls the 
bait on a trap he pulls the wrong way to spring it, 
and should he spring it his position is such that he 
is quite sure to escape. Then again bait on the 
pan calls the animal's attention to the trap instead 
of attracting his attention from it. The right waj 
is to put the bait so that in attempting to get it 
the animal will put his foot on the pan. This can 
be done in several ways, but this general direction 
will suffice. Place the bait either on a stick above 
the trap or in an inclosure so arranged that the 
animal must step over the trap to reach it. As in 
all other things judgment must be used and ex- 
perience will teach the best and most sure ways to 
succeed in trapping. Some young trappers may 
enquire Jwiv many traps they could attend to. The 
number of course cannot be definitely stated, but 
anywhere from 100 to 150 can easily be attended 
by one person. The principal trouble is transport- 
ing the traps. If you take all you can carry you 
will not have too many. Trapping is a paying oc- 
cupation only in new districts. Some trappers 
have caught as many as fifty muskrats in one night, 
but of course this is much above the average. 
Good judgment is needed in any one in order to 
become a skillful trapper. 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 11 

CAPTURING ANIMALS. 

We propose briefly describing some of the prin- 
cipal animals likely to be met with by the trapper 
and will begin with 

THE MINK. 

This animal is found in. North America, Asia 
and Europe ; of late years its fur has been the most 
popular of any, and has commanded very high 
prices. It is of a dark brown color, short legs, 
long body and neck, and bushy tail. There are 
two varieties in this country, one small, dark col- 
ored, and the other larger and light colored. The 
breeding season with the Mink commences about 
May 1st, and the females bring forth three to six 
at a litter. Mink can be taken in steel traps on 
land or in the water. Most trappers prefer to take 
them on land. When their hole cannot be found, 
make a hole by the side of a root or stump ; three 
sides should be banked up with bark or w r ood and 
set the trap at the entrance. Fish, Birds, or Musk- 
rat Flesh should be used for bait ; cut it in small 
pieces and put into the cavity beyond the trap so 
that the animal will have to step over the trap in 
order to take the bait ; conceal the trap by cover- 
ing with leaves, or rotten wood ; smoke the bait in 
very cold weather so as to give it a stronger smell, 
as Mink can be attracted a very great distance by 
the scent of the bait. A good plan to attract this 
animal is to take eels, or minnows, cut them in 
small pieces and put in a bottle loosely corked 
and let it hang in the sunshine for two or three 
weeks in summer, when an oil will be formed which 



12 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

has a very strong odor ; a few drops of this oil on 
a bit of wood will draw Mink a long distance. 

THE MUSKRAT. 

This animal is from 13 to 15 inches in length; 
its tail is two-thirds the length of its "body and is 
two-edged, covered with scales and thin short hair, 
the edges being fringed. Its hind feet are slightly 
webbed ; they are excellent swimmers and will 
swim 10 or 15 rods under water without breathing. 
They feed on roots and grass, but will eat almost 
anything. They mostly inhabit ponds and sing- 
gish streams. In summer they live mostly in hol- 
low trees, or in the banks, and sometimes even in 
the winter. The females have from six to nine at 
a litter. There are various modes of capturing 
the muskrat. They are sometimes speared, but no 
means is so sure as trapping them. The traps 
should be set in the places where they feed and 
around their holes, and as a general thing about 
two inches under water ; bait is not needed 
except when game is scarce. The musk of this 
animal will draw at any distance. Bait should be 
fastened to a stick and stuck over the trap in such 
a position that the animal will have to pass over 
the trap in order to reach it. Fasten the trap so 
the chain will lead him into deep water and drown 
him ; be careful to not allow him room to entangle 
himself or he may gnaw off a leg and get away. 

THE MARTEN. 

The Marten belongs to the weasel family and is 
about as large as the mink ; it varies but little from 



and trapper's companion. 13 

it in size or form, except that its feet are larger 
and hairy to the toes, and its tail is somewhat 
larger and of a darker color. There are many va- 
rieties of the Marten. The fur of the American 
Marten is a yellowish brown, but varies greatly 
according to locality, &c, &c. They generally 
live in hollow trees, but sometimes in the ground. 
They live on birds, rabbits, mice, &c. ; beechnuts 
are also a favorite with them. They are very ac- 
tive and will catch squirrels easily. They breed 
in March or April and have from three to five 
young at a time. Martens are captured in traps 
the same as the mink. The traps should be set in 
hollow logs or trees and secured from being covered 
by snows. 

THE SABLE. 

In Natural History the Sable is classed with the 
Marten, which it greatly resembles ; there are two 
species. They are not very prolific, seldom bring- 
ing forth five and more generally only three. 
They live in burrows chiefly by the banks of riv- 
ers, although occasionally they have nests in hol- 
low trees. Their food is various according to 
season. They devour the hare in great numbers. 
In winter however they are said to feed on berries. 
The fur of the Sable is in great request. .It is the 
most beautiful of all the Martens ; a rich brown 
marked with white about the head and tinged with 
gray on the neck. A single skin will sometimes 
bring Si 00 in market. The Russian Sable is mo- 
nopolised by the nobility, and very few skins ever 
get to America. The Sable can be tamed very 



3.4 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

easily. They are captured the same as Mink or 
Marten. 

THE FISHER. 

This belongs to the Weasel family, resembling 
the Marten, although much larger. An average 
animal will measure two feet from nose to roots of 
tail. It has large feet, short, stout and covered 
with hair. Their fur is dark brown or black. 
This animal is found in the cold, snowy regions of 
the North, and they live nearly the same as the 
Marten, breeding at about the same time, but only 
bringing forth two to four at a litter. They can 
be taken in traps same as Mink and Marten, only 
the barricade must be stronger. 

THE FOX. 

Although most abundant at the North, yet the 
Fox family are numerous and are found in all lati- 
tudes. There are said to be fourteen varieties of 
the genus Fox. It is a very important fur bearing 
animal, but the Silver Gray is the most rare and 
most sought after of any. Only a few hundred 
skins are annually obtained, and a single skin fre- 
quently brings $150 to $200. The Fox belongs 
to the Dog or wolf family ; all the different species 
closely resemble each other. They feed on al- 
most anything, either animal or vegetable. 

They are very stealthy and cunning, and their 
tricks are very remarkable. They measure about 
three feet from nose to tip of tail, aud weigh about 
20 lbs. They breed in February or March, and 
bring forth from three to nine ; they burrow in the 



ani> trapper's companion. 15 

earth, but can sometimes be found in rocks and 
hollow trees. Great care should be taken to pre 
vent the smell of the trap from alarming the Fox, 
and it should.be well smeared with blood and let 
dry, or beeswax melted and rubbed over the trap 
will answer the same purpose. There are many 
and numerous other tricks which can be used to 
advantage, but we have no room in this work to 
describe them fully. 

THE OTTER, 
This animal is found in nearly all parts of the 
world. It is aquatic in its habits, living always 
near streams. Its color is nearly like the Mink, 
and its fur thick and short. Its legs appear to be 
set on the sides of its body, which makes it an 
awkward appearing animal when on land. The 
weight of this animal averages twenty pounds. 
The Otter is an excellent swimmer and it catches 
its food, which is principally fish, with the greatest 
ease. They usually burrow in the banks of 
streams, entering under water. The} r breed in 
April and bring forth not over four at a time, gen- 
erally only two. They are a very rambling ani- 
mal and quite difficult to trap. The steel trap is 
the best with which to trap the Otter, and it should 
be very carefully set. It should be set on one 
side of the path, because the Otter's legs stand out 
from his bocty, and were the trap set in the middle 
of the path he would be likely to put his 
feet on each side of it, instead of in it. A small 
hole should be made in the earth with a hatchet, 
and the trap sunk so as to be nearly level with the 
path ; leaves and moss should be packed under the 



1(> THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

jaws |and spring, and the top covered with dry 
leaves, &c. To fasten the trap cut a tree of small 
size and set it upright near enough the path to 
help guide the animal into the trap, , supporting it 
in that position and securing the trap and game 
by withing the top to another tree ; the ring should 
be slipped on the butt and fastened with a wedge. 
The trap is now well set, but the trapper must nev- 
er go near the trap after it is set until it is sprung, 
for the smell of the Otter is very delicate. Other 
methods are pursued by different trappers, and in 
fact each has his particular wa}^. There is a va- 
riety of the Otter called the Sea Otter. Its fur is 
very valuable and of great beauty. These cannot 
easily be trapped, but are hunted in boats and 
shot. By careful watching, however, they could 
undoubtedly be taken in the steel trap. 

THE BEAVER. 

This animal belongs to the family of the Musk- 
rat ; in fact the two resemble each other very much 
except in size. A full grown Beaver weighs about 
seventy-five pounds, generally less. The tail of 
the Beaver is the most noticeable part. It is oval 
in shape, flattened on the upper and under sides, 
and covered with a species of hairy scales. It is 
generally believed that the Beaver uses its tail as 
a help in building its huts or dams. The Beaver 
usually commences to build its huts in September. 
These are nearly like Muskrat's, only of necessity 
larger and stronger. The entrance is under water, 
and they are usually large enough to hold nine to 
twelve animals each. Beavers sometimes live on the 



AND TRAPPER ? S COMPANION. 17 

banks of large rivers and lakes and have their holes 
in the banks. The Beaver breeds in April or May 
and have from two to four young at a time. The 
young remain with the parents three years. The 
food of the Beaver consists of various kinds of bark 
and a large kind of root which is plenty in large 
rivers and lakes. In summer they eat various 
things, berries, &c, &c. Beavers are trappepj. 
principally. There are various ways of taking 
Beaver ; the following is the best way to catch them 
in winter. Find their ponds, make a hole in the 
ice near the shore and near the hut, then cut a tree 
about two inches in diameter, press the top togeth- 
er and shove the whole under the ice ; under the 
butt a platform should be placed by driving stakes, 
or by any other means, on which the trap should be 
set ; fill the hole in the ice with snow and allow it to 
freeze. The Beaver, when passirig, will discover the 
newly cut tree, and will proceed to the butt to secure 
its food, and as it will gnaw it off towards the shore 
over the trap, it will be liable to be taken. Dif- 
ferent trappers have different methods for catching 
this animal, but the above is a good as any. 
THE RACCOON. 
This animal belongs to the Bear family and is 
only found on the Western Continent, The variety 
of most value is the common Raccoon. Its body is 
about two feet long and its head resembles the Fox. 
It feeds on nuts, corn, frogs, fish, &c, &c. It is a 
good climber and generally rears its young in a 
hollow tree. It breeds in April or May and brings 
forth four to six young at a time. The Raccoon is 
generally taken by setting traps in the paths which 



18 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

they make in corn fields or by setting traps by the 
side of the streams where they live. They should 
be baited with iresh fish or salt cod fish, roasted so 
as to give it a strong smell. There is not much 
cunning to the Raccoon and with their acute sense 
of smell they seldom pass a trap without being 
taken. 

THE WOLF. 

There are many varieties of the Wolf but they 
are in Iomd it;r) tit eamt, although they vary 
in color from black ti lough all shades to white; 
gray however, is ihi j n est c< n mon color. They are 
lean and gaunt animals, but ^trj fleet and power- 
ful. They are ferocious but cowardly ; they 
belong to the family ot the Dog and Fox, and are 
generally found in packs. Ihey destroy Sheep and 
Deer, frequently destroying whole herds in a single 
night. They teed on all animals, and will pursue, 
kill and eat human flesh if pressed by hunger. 
Their average length is about four feet from nose to 
tail. Wolves breed in April and May, having from 
five to nine or ten young at a time. To capture 
Wolves the steel trap is the best. The following is 
an old trapper's method of trapping them. Find 
two trees standing eighteen inches or more apart, 
put the bait between the trees and set a trap on 
each side of it; smoke the traps over hemlock 
boughs to destroy the odor of iron. After setting 
the traps carefully, cover them with finely pow- 
dered rotten wood ; the chain should be fastened to 
a log weighing twenty pounds or more. Rub some 
asafoetida on the trees to attract the attention of 
the Wolves. In **ise trees cannot be found near 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 19 

enough together, get two logs and lean them against 
a tree. It is better to use old logs than to cut 
fresh ones. 

THE BEAR. 

The Bear inhabits nearly all portions of the globe, 
in all latitudes from the North to the South. There 
are many varieties which space will not allow us to 
notice. They feed on roots, nuts, berries, &c, in 
fact on any thing eatable. The farmers on the 
frontier suffer much loss from their depredations. 
They have a great liking for honey. They sleep 
through the coldest part of the year and breed in 
May and June, not generally bringing forth but two 
young. The cubs are hid in hollow trees and caves 
until large enough to follow their dam. Hunting- 
Bears with fire arms is dangerous, besides being 
likely to damage their fur. They can be easily 
trapped in a large steel trap. The hunter should 
choose a spot where there is a fallen log and then 
place another log across it making a pen in shape 
like the letter V, place the bait at the inner angle 
and the trap at the entrance, so that the Bear can- 
not get the bait without having to pass over the 
trap, cover the trap with moss and leaves. Some 
hunters put a small stick under the pan to prevent 
small animals from springing it, but which the foot 
of the Bear will break. The top should have a 
chain eighteen inches long and be fastened to a 
clog weighing 80 lbs. Bait with meat, and also 
put a little honey on heated stones near the trap. 
Bears are not airaid of traps and enter one readily. 



20 the hunter's guide, 

THE BADGER. 

This animal also belongs to the Bear family. 
There are three or four species. Its fur is in con- 
siderable demand and the European species furnish 
from 60,000 to 75,000 skins annually. 

The Badger is a quiet, inoffensive animal, but 
when attacked is a terrible antagonist. It is about 
2 feet long, with short tail and small flat head. It 
lives in the solitary woods in burrows. Its fur is 
valuable and is used in many. ways. The Badger 
is taken in traps placed at the mouth of their holes. 
As the Badger is very cunning, the traps should be 
as much concealed as possible. 

THE WILD CAT. 

This is of the Lynx species ; the average is about 
two and one half feet long and weighing from 15 
to .25 pounds. There are several varieties. The 
principal one is of a reddish brown color. The fur 
is full and soft. This animal is cowardly, never at- 
tacking anything as large as itself. It feeds on 
birds, &c. It can be taken in the same manner as 
the Raccoon or Mink, baiting with meat. If you 
can find a place where they have killed any game, 
set your trap 4 and they will be quite sure to visit it. 
The Wild Oat is very strong, and when pursued is 
very ferocious. 

THE LYNX. 

Of this animal there are several species, but those 
of most importance are the European and Canada 
Lynx. The Canada Lynx is the one found in 
America. It is a stupid animal and easily trapped. 
The directions given for trapping other animals 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 21 

will apply to trapping the Lynx, therefore it is un- 
necessary to repeat them here. 

THE AMERICAN PANTHER. 

This is one of the largest animals of the Cat spe- 
cies. It is found in all latitudes. A full grown 
Panther will measure from 8 to 10 feet in length ; 
their color is a reddish brown ; they are armed with 
sharp teeth and claws and are very active. They 
feed on Deer chiefly, which they catch by crawling 
upon them in a stealthy manner, or by pouncing 
upon them from a tree. They frequently in new 
settlements carry off Sheep and young cattle ; they 
are good climbers and take to a tree when pursued, 
from which they are easily brought down by the 
rifle. This is the usual way of taking them. They 
rarely attack a man ; they are cowardly, but when 
wounded are dangerous. They can easily be taken 
in traps ; find where they have killed a Deer and se- 
crete the trap near the remains, and you will catch 
them when they return. This is also true of many 
other large animals. 

THE WOLVERINE 
Is found in many portions of British America, and 
also in the wild portions of North America. It is 
about three feet long and its tail about one foot in 
length. Its habits are much like the Marten. 
They possess great strength and are powerfully 
built. Their color is a dark brown. The Wolver- 
ine is a great mischief maker and causes much 
trouble to the trapper. They will follow a line of 
traps for ■*miles, devouring the bait and animals 
caught, and tearing down the traps, Th§ Indians 



22 the hunter's guide, 

call it the Devil, and from its canning, sagacity and 
destructive propensities it appears to deserve the 
name. 

THE SKUNK. 

Although generally despised, this animal furnishes 
valuable fur and deserves the attention of the trap- 
per. It is of the Weasel family, with small head, 
projecting nose, bright eyes and short ears. . It is 
white and black, but some are almost entirely white 
and others black. It is a nocturnal animal, living in 
the fields in the Summer. It breeds in April or 
May, and brings forth five to eight young, which are 
reared in its haunts until large enough to take care 
of themselves. This animal is best taken in traps, 
which may be set at their holes covered with earth 
or leaves and baited with meat in small pieces 
scattered over it. They are not cunning and are 
easily trapped. The only real trouble is to get the 
fur without the liability of catching a charge of 
their perfumery. A sharp blow across the lower 
part of the back will paralyze their muscles and 
render them harmless. 

THE OPPOSSTOI. 

This animal is an inhabitant of the Southern 
parts of the United States and also of Australia. 
It is about two feet long or a little less, short built, 
with large ears, round and nearly naked. It has 
five toes and walks on the sole of its foot like a 
bear. It is nocturnal in its habits and lives on corn, 
nuts, berries, &c. The female is very productive, 
frequently bringing forth -from six to thirteen young 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 23 

and having three or four litters a year. The Op- 
possura is easily trapped in the same manner as the 
Raccoon and Badger. When caught they feign 
death, and betray no signs of life even if consider- 
ably tortured ; undoubtedly this gave use to the by- 
word "playing 'possum/' 

THE SQUIRREL. 

In America the fur of the Squirrel is of little 
value to the fur trade and they are only trapped for 
food or to get rid of them. The European variety 
is however much more valuable, and millions are 
brought into market every year. The Siberian and 
Russian Squirrel however produce the most hand- 
some and finest fur. In taking Squirrel set the 
trap on the upper rail of a fence near where they 
frequent, set a pole with an ear of corn or some 
other Squrirel food fastened to the end of it up 
against the side of the fence, leaning in such a po- 
sition as to bring the bait over the trap at a height 
of six or nine inches. When the Squirrel reaches 
to get the bait he will get into the trap. 

THE woodchuck. 

This animal burrows almost exclusively. They 
are found on both continents and there are several 
varieties. The Prairie Dog of the plains is a species 
of Woodchuck. The skin of the Woodchuck is 
not very valuable for fur, but for whiplashes it is 
unsurpassed. These animals are easily taken by 
placing set traps completely covered, but not baited, 
at the mouth of their holes. 



24 THE hunter's guide, 

THE DEER. 

Although one of the most important animals to 
the hunter and trapper, we have left it for the last 
of which we shall speak. It belongs to the family 
of ruminating animals and embraces a great num- 
ber of species, from the very smallest Musk Deer, 
up to enormous Moose Deer which frequently 
weighs 10 to 1200 pounds, and stands from six to 
eight feet in height. The Musk Deer is veiy small, 
only weighing from five to ten lbs., and not larger 
than a common Rabbit. The kind with which 
trappers in America are principally interested is the 
common or Red Virginia Deer, and also the Black 
Tailed Deer, which is found west of the Mississippi. 
The various species differ little in geDeral charac- 
teristics and a description of the Red Deer will be 
sufficient for all purposes. This animal is found in 
nearly all the United States, except where thickly 
settled and also abounds in Canada. Although some- 
times found alone, they generally go in companies 
of two or more. They frequently visit the set- 
tlements and eat wheat, corn, cabbages, &c, if 
they can get them. Their wild food consists most- 
ly of twigs, grass, berries, &c, with nuts and acorns 
in then season. In winter they retire to high lands. 
They form what is called "yards" by trampling 
down the snow, and live in large herds. Their 
principal enemies are the Panther and Wolves. 
They are sometimes attacked and whole "yards" 
destroyed. Wolves even pursue Deer and finally 
capture them by running them down. There are 
many and various ways used by hunters and trap- 
pers in taking Deer. A favorite one is to shoot 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 25 

them by night, when they are feeding by the water 
side. They are also taken by dogs, who drive them 
into the lake or river, and then they are dispatched 
by the hunter in his canoe. In shooting Deer the 
proceedings are as follows : The hunter procures 
a boat, gun and lamp. The lamp, (or pine, if no 
lamp can be had) is placed at the bow of the boat, 
so it will shine forward of the boat, and at the 
same time by its glare conceal the hunter who sits 
behind it. The game must be approached very 
carefully, as the least rustle will frighten the ani- 
mal. The reflected light from the Deer's eyes 
show his position to the hunter. The boat if care- 
fully managed, will approach very near, and the 
Deer will stand and gaze at the light until within 
a few yards and near enough for a good shot. 
This is the principal way of taking Deer, but they 
can be trapped, but hunters seem rather disinclined 
to trap them unless it is necessary. The trap for 
taking Deer should be a very strong one, with 
spiked jaw and so shaped as when sprung they will 
remain open 1-2 an inch so as to prevent breaking 
bones. It should be set in the path of the Deer 
where it enters the water if possible, and should be 
concealed by some covering. The trap should not 
be clogged or fastened as then the Deer would 
break away or leave a limb, but if the trap is loose 
he will after tiring himself out lie down and will 
generally be found within a few rods of the spot 
where he can be easily despatched when found by 
the hunter. A Canadian trapper gives the follow- 
ing directions for trapping Deer in winter. He 
says : "Fall a maple or basswood tree near where 



26 



the Deer haunt. These trees are their favorite 
browse, make a small hole in the snow, close to the 
top of a tree, set your trap, lower it into the hole 
and shove it to one side, 18 or 20 inches through 
the snow. Finally take some deer-scent obtained 
from the glands on the hind legs of the Deer, and 
which has a very strong odor, and rub it on the 
trap. This done, when the Deer comes to feed on 
the twigs of the fallen tree, you will be pretty sure 
to take one. 

THE MOOSE. 

The Moose is the largest of the Deer family, 
and its habits are much the same as the common 
deer. It is, however, an inhabitant of the North- 
ern and more snowy regions, going as far North as 
the Arctic Ocean. Its color is yellowish brown, 
and it frequents mostly high woodlands. Its hair 
in winter is coarse and long, while in Summer it is 
short and soft. The Moose weighs when full 
grown from seven to fifteen hundred pounds, and 
is sometimes eight feet high. Its horns sometimes 
expand six feet. The Moose breeds in May. They 
bring forth at first but one, but after the first they 
have two at a birth. These animals, like the com- 
mon Deer, frequent rivers and lakes, where they 
feed on the roots of the water lily, and in the win- 
ter retire to the higher lands, where their height 
enables them to crop the overhanging branches of 
large trees, and their strength enables them to hold 
down the smaller trees until they strip them of 
their twigs and bark. The Moose may be taken in 
winter by the "long chase" on snow shoes, or in 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 27 

Summer they may be shot at their feeding places 
in the marshes. They are very wary and their 
sense of smell is very a«ute. Thejr can be trapped, 
but it requires a large trap weighing forty or more 
pounds, and a clog of sixty pounds fastened to it. 
The flesh of the Moose is much esteemed by hun- 
ters and trappers, being preferred generally to that 
of the common deer. 



HOW TO CURE SKINS. 

The most successful hunter or trapper can never 
expect to get the full benefit of his labor unless he 
knows how to cure his skins and prepare them for 
sale. This is no light matter, as on the appear- 
ance of the furs depends their value in market. 
Skins that have been riddled with shot, or that are 
damaged by being cut, are unsaleable or nearly so. 
So also are skins which have pieces of flesh on 
them. It is also very necessary that the skins 
should not be dried too much, and equally impor- 
tant that they should not be dried to little. Skins, 
even if really worth more, are often valued at low 
prices for any of the above reasons. Many valua- 
ble furs are often spoiled by boys and young trap- 
pers from bad treatment in some part of their 
curing. There are inai^ things which can only be 
acquired by experience ; but the following direc- 
tions if carefully followed will enable most persons 
to cure their skins in a comparatively perfect man- 
ner. 



28 the hunter's guide, 

1st. The Animal should be skinned as s< on as 
possible after killing, but not until it is dry. 

2d. All superfluous fat and meat should be 
carefully scraped off, using care not to injure the 
skin. 

3d. Do not use preparations of any kind in 
curing skins. It is not necessary to even wash 
them, but stretch and dry them just as they are 
taken from the animal. 

4th. Never hurry the drying process. Do not 
dry by the sun or by the fire. A cool, shady, 
sheltered place is to be desired. Some bo} T s use a 
barn door for a stretcher, but in this case use the 
inside of the door, not the outside. 

Lastly. Do not fail to ventilate your traps after 
using. A skin is sometimes spoiled, and often 
damaged by remaining long enough to get tainted. 

HOW TO STRETCH SKINS. 

To dry skins it is very important that they 
should be thoroughly stretched. They should be 
drawn tightly across something so as to draw the 
skin tight. This is done by nailing them on a flat 
board, or the side of a barn door, but of course in 
the woods this cannot be done, and as most skins 
are cured in the woods, some other means is neces- 
sary. And again, this method exposes only one 
side to the air. There are two or three kinds of 
stretchers much used by trappers, and adapted to 
the skins of different animals. 

1st. Is the Hoop Stretcher, intended for skins 
of animals of large size, such as the Bear, Beaver, 
&c. , which are best cured by spreading them the 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 29 

full size. For this purpose cut a stick of flexible 
wood large enough to surround the skin where 
bent. If a single stick be not long enough, splice 
two short ones. The ends should be brought round 
and tied or spliced together. The skin should be 
taken from the animal by ripping from the lower 
part of the front teeth to the extreme point of the 
body, peeling around the eyes, lips and ears. The 
legs should not be ripped up. Then place it inside 
the hoop, fastened on opposite sides with twine or 
bark, until the loose parts are taken up, and the 
whole stretched so that it is nearly round, and as 
tight as it can be made. It should then be left to 
dry, after which it may be taken and packed for 
transportation. This is the only proper method 
for curing Deer skins. 

THE BOW STRETCHER 

is the most common way of treating the Muskrat 
skin. Cut the head off and rip with the knife 
from between the two teeth in lower jaw down 
the belly about two inches below where the fore- 
legs come out ; then start the skin by cutting 
around the lips, ears and eyes, and strip it over 
the body with the fur inwards. Then take a birch 
or elm stick three and a half feet long, and bend 
it to the shape of an ox bow, and shove it into the 
skin ; draw it tight and fasten by splitting a sliver 
in the stick and drawing the skin of the lip into it. 
This is the usual way, but the board stretcher is 
the best, as such skins are better stretched, keep 
in better shape, and are more easily packed. Board 
stretchers will last for years, but bows are aener- 



30 THE hunter's guide, 

ally broken in taking them out. They can seldom 
be used but once. 

THE BOARD STRETCHER 

is easily made as follows, and for all purposes, for 
small skins, is preferable to any other. Take a 
basswood board, or one of other light wood ; have 
it two feet, four inches long, and three and one- 
half inches wide at one end, and two and one- 
eighth at the other, three-eighths of an inch thick. 
Chamfer it from the centre to the sides almost to 
an edge. Round and chamfer the small end 
about an inch up on the sides, split the board 
through the centre with a knife or saw. Finally, 
prepare a wedge of the same length and thickness, 
one inch wide at the large end and tapering to 
three-eighths of an inch at the smail end, to be 
driven between the halves of the board. You then 
have a stretcher suitable for a Mink or Marten. 
Larger sizes are needed for larger animals. For a 
Wolf or Otter it should be 5 1-2 feet long, seven 
inches wide at the large end, when spread, and six 
inches at the small end. 

In using these stretchers the skin should not be 
ripped from the body through the belly, but should 
be stripped off whole as follows : Begin with the 
hind feet and slit down to the vent. Cut around 
the vent and strip the skin from the bone of the 
tail with the half of the thumb nail, or a split stick. 
No other slits are necessary. Then peel the skin 
from the body by drawing it over itself leaving the 
fur side inward. In this condition the skin should 
be drawn on to the split board to its utmost length, 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 31 

back on one side and belly on the other, and 
fastened by tacks or by notches cut in the edge of 
the board, and then the wedge should be driven 
between the two halves. Then make all fast by a 
tack at the root of the tail, and another on the op- 
posite side. Then stretch the skin to its- utmost, 
and it may then be hung away and left to dry. In 
stretching Otter skins in this w&y, the tail should 
be split, spread and tacked on a board. 

THE MUSKRAT STRETCHER 

is made of a board 3-16 of an inch thick, 20 inches 
long, six inches wide at one end, and tapering to 
five and one-half. Skin the animal, draw the skin 
tightly on the board, and tack. These can be very 
easily transported, and are very convenient in 
trapping small animals. Some trappers pretend to 
have many "secrets" for curing furs, but if the 
above directions are followed we will warrant the 
trapper as good furs and as good prices as by any 
method he can practice. 



32 the hunter's guide, 



THE VADE MECUM, 

OR 
Hunter's and Trapper's Useful Companion. 

THE BIRCH CANOE. 

Among all other boats for hunting and fishing 
this is the favorite. The best are marie by In- 
dians, and it is of Indian origin. The great ad- 
vantage is its liglitness; and on this account it is 
preferred on all streams where "carrying places" 
are frequent. In size the Bark Canoe varies from 
fifteen to twenty feet in length, although they are 
made of all lengths, from ten to nearly forty feet. 
They can be made large enough to contain from 
ten to fifteen persons, besides necessary baggage 
or stores. The first thing necessary is the gun- 
wale. This should be two strips for each side of 
the canoe, about one-fourth of an inch thick and 
an inch or more in width, one for the inside and 
the other for the outside of the edge. Then pro- 
cure your bark. The part for the bottom of the 
Canoe should be in one whole piece, peeled very 
carefully, and as free from knots as possible. If 
a piece sufficiently large cannot be had, strips can 
be sewed on to the edges. When the bark is ready 
the length of the proposed Canoe should be 
measured on the ground at two stakes driven firm- 
ly into the earth close together at each end. The 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 33 

ends of the bark are then to be folded on the mid- 
dle line with the inside of the bark outward,- and 
inserted between the stakes. These ends should 
extend out beyond the stakes far enough to fold 
them over and to sew the whole firmly together. 
The Canoe is then formed "in the rough." Then 
at each end place a small log underneath for the 
Canoe to rest on, and to allow the bottom to form 
a curve downward. Then place the gunwale in 
position, fit the bark between the strips and sew 
the whole together with a winding stitch, regularly, 
or in sections the entire length. Next, the inside 
of the Canoe is lined with strips of cedar, from one- 
fourth to one-half of an inch thick, and an inch or 
more wide, placed longitudinally and fastened with 
a piece of pine pitch, J These strips should be sev- 
eral feet long and should lap neatly where their 
ends meet. The knees or ribs are then made of 
strips of ash or any wood that may be convenient, 
provided it is firm and elastic. They should be 
about one-fou:th of an inch thick and from one to 
two inches wide. They should be placed cross- 
wise of the Canoe, bent down at the bottom and 
sides, and their ends securely fastened under the 
gunwales. # Tbey must be placed closely together 
with the same spaces between them the whole 
length of the Canoe, as they strengthen the Canoe, 
keep it in shape and the lining in its place. After 
all this is done, the seams and the whole inside of 
the Canoe should be smeared with pitch, and two 
or three cross pieces placed between the gunwales 
to keep the sides in shape. A square or three 
cornered awl should be used for doing the sewing, 



34 THE hunter's guide, 

and for thread use cedar, tamarack or spruce roots, 
soaked in hot water. They form a perfect substi- 
tute for thread, and are much better for many 
reasons. 

THE DUG OUT, OR LOO CANOE. 

Although the bark Canoe is best for all pur- 
poses, yet the trapper and hunter often finds him- 
self obliged to build the log Canoe, which is very 
simple, and can be made quite light, and is ser- 
viceable, strong and quite desirable. It may be 
made of white wood, basswood, ash cr pine ; the lat- 
ter are the best. The log should be sound, large 
and free from knots, and should be hewn on two 
opposite sides to a depth corresponding to the 
depth of the intended Canoe, on one side the hew- 
ing should not be straight, but should run out at 
the ends to the surface of the log so as to give a 
suitable rise at bow and stein. This hewing can 
be done before the log is cut off from the tree. 
After doing this turn the log down with that side 
uppermost to which is to form the gunwale. Next, 
strike the outlines with a line and chalk, or coal. 
In laying out a Canoe, measure the length into 
three equal sections. The two end sections for 
the bow and stern. For a \ery large Canoe the 
end for the bow should be hewn somewhat sharper 
than for the stern, but at the same time the width 
of the boat at the point where the curves of the 
bow start below the gunwale, should be a little 
greater than at any other point. This can be easily 
done when finishing off the sides after the Canoe 
m struck out. The only object of giving the Ca« 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 35 

noe the greatest width at this point is to give ease 
of motion when in the water. A very small Ca- 
noe may be curved with the same sharpness at both 
ends, and it can then run either end first. A Ca- 
noe of this shape is one of the swiftest boats that 
can be made. Both, ends of a well made Canoe 
are carved upward from the middle of the gunwale, 
and the stern rises a little from the line of the 
bottom. If the log is sound (and none other 
should be used) a Canoe may be worked very thin, 
and be so light as to be easily carried. The tools 
required for making a log Canoe are a good axe, 
broad axe, an adze, a round adze, and a shave ; a 
large draw shave is the best. A small augur is 
also desirable, and a cross-cut saw also, but either 
can be dispensed with if unobtainable. 

BATTEAUX 
can be made of thin boards in the form of a flat 
bottomed boat. Take two boards that are sound 
and free from knots, and of a length and width, 
equal respectively to the length and depth of the 
proposed boat. Set the boards up edgeways, the 
width on the gunwale apart, and nail a cross piece 
midway between the ends ; then turn over the 
boards, and with a draw shave shape the other 
edges to a proper curve for the bottom ; next nail 
a board across the middle of the bottom and bring 
the ends of the boards together and nail them to 
the bow and stern pieces. Then make the bottom 
by nailing boards crosswise, taking care to give 
the sides the proper curve ; when all the parts are 
put together, caulk all the joints and the Batteaux 
is ready for use. 



36 THE HUNTER'S GUtDK, 

THE PROFITS OF TRAPPING. 

The profits of trapping depend altogether upon 
the success of the trapper. It is impossible to es- 
timate them, but to give an idea of the prices re- 
alized from furs we append the latest price list for 
them, as given June 1st, 1868, by C. G. Gunther 
<fc Sons, 503 & 504 Broadway, N. Y. City, who 
are probably as extensive dealers as any in the 
United States. 

FHICE LIST. 

BEAR, Northern, according to size and 

quality Prime From $8.00 to $15.00 

" Southern and Northern yearlings u " 3.00 to 8.00 

BEAVER, Northern, per skin, Parchment. " " 3.00 to 4.00 

" Southern and ordinary, per skin. " " 0.75 to 1.50 

BADGER " " 0.50to 0.75 

CAT, WILD, Northern and Eastern States, 

cased » " 0.30 to 0.50 

" " Southern and Western " " 0.25 to 0.40 

" House, ordinary " " O.lOto 0.20 

" " Black furred " " 0.30 to 0.40 

FISHER, Northern and Eastern, according 

to size and color, " " 5.00 to 8.00 

" Penn. Ohio and Western.... do... " ** 2.00 to 5.00 

" Southern :...do... " " 1.00 to 3.00 

FOX, Silver do... " " 10.00 to 50.00 

" Cross, Northern and Eastern.. do... " " 4.00 to 6.00 

" Penn., N.Jersey and Ohio.do.. " " 3.00 to 4.00 

" Red, Northern and Eastern... do... " " 1.00 to 1.40 
" South Penn , New Jersey and 

North Ohio do... «< " 0.75 to 1.00 

" Southern and Western do... " " 0.35 to 0.75 

'• Grey, Northern and Eastern cased do " " 0.60 to 0.70 

" Southern and Western do... " " 0.40 to 0.50 

« Kitt... do... " " 0.40to 0.60 

LYNX, do... " " l.OOto 1.50 

MARTENS States do.. *• " 0.75 to 1-50 

MINK, N. Y , N Eng'd, Minn, and Ca do. " " 5.00 to 7.00 
" N. J., Pa., Ohio, Mich., Ind., Wis. 

andlowa do... " " 3.00 to 5.00 

" Md., Va., Ky., Mo. and all Southern do " " l.OOto 3 00 

MUSKRAT, NorthornN. Y. and Eastern. Sycing " 0.32 to 0.84 

Western, including Pa., and Ohio. " " 0.24 to 0.3T 

« Northern, and Eastern Winter, " 024to • » 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 37 

MU8KRAT, Western, including Pa. and Ohio Winter, From J0.18 to $0.20 
" Southern, prime, and Northern, Fall Average, " 0.12 to 0.18 
OTTER, Northern and Eastern, and North West- 
ern, according to size and color Prime " 5.00 to 7.00 
" Penn.,N. Jersey, Ohio and Western, " " 4.00 to 6.00 
Ky , Md., Va., Kansas and vicinity, " " 3.00 to 5.00 
" North and South Carolina, and Georgia, " " 2.00 to 3.50 
OPOSSUM, Northern Prime Cased " 0.08 to 0J0 
Southern and open Northern " " 0.05 to 0.08 
RACCOON, Michigan, N. Indiana, Indian handled, 

dark, according to siz« and color Prime " 0.80 to 1.00 

" No. Ohio, 111., Iowa, Wis. and Minnesota " " 0.60 to 0.75 

N. Y., and E. States and N. Penasylvania " " 0.40 to 0.65 

N. J., S. Penn., Ind., 111., Mo. and Kansas " " 0.30 to 0.50 

Md., Va., Kentucky, Arkansas and Tenn. " " 0.25 to 0.40 

" North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida 

and Alabama " " 0.15 to 0.30 

KABBITS Prime, Cased " 0.02 to 0.03 

SKUNKS, prime black, No. 1 " » " 0.80 to 0.90 

" white and black, streaked, No. II " " 0.30 to 0.40 

" Out seasoned and very white " " 0.06 to 0.15 

WOLF SKINS, Mountain Skins, large " " 3.00 to 4 00 

" " Prairi*. average prime skins " " 1.00 to 1.75 

The above quotations are for all kinds of prime 
skins according to size and color. If skins are 
better, or not as good, prices will vary accordingly. 
Skunk skins with only two white finger marks on 
head, are counted as black. Green skins are 
worth twelve cents less per skin than dried and 
well stretched skins. In order to realize the best 
prices, in trapping as in other pursuits, great care 
must be taken to have skins well cured, dried and 
stretched. Time is well spent in taking care of 
them, as good furs will always command good 
prices, while ill cured ones will often not sell at 
any price. As in everything else, experience is 
necessary and the young trapper if he has no in- 
structor must act for himself, and in a short time 
will be able to cure his skins as well as the best. 



38 the hunter's guide, 



FISHING. 

To be a successful fisherman several things are 
necessary. We shall give in a few words some in- 
structions although but few are necessary. 

FISHING IN THE WINTER. 

In Winter Trout may easily be caught in places 
where the water is not too deep, by cutting holes 
in the ice and using the common hook and line. 
By using what are called tip ups, one person can 
attend to several lines, each of course being placed 
in a different hole. Take a strip of board two in- 
ches wide and two feet long, and bore a hole near 
one end, through the hole put a stick long enough 
to reach across the hole in the ice, thereon fasten 
your line to the short end of the strip and drop the 
hooks in the water. When a fish bites, the long 
end of the stick will tip up and can easily be seen. 
For bait use Cow's udder, or almost any sort of 
meat. Salmon, trout, pickerel, &c, are also caught 
in the same manner. 

FISHING IN WINTER WITH NETS. 

By using gill nets, fish may be caught in the win- 
ter under the ice as follows : Take a long smooth 
pole and fasten the net to it with rings or loops. 
The rings should be plenty large enough to slip 
along the pole easily ; if preferred the net can be 
hung on a rope and each end fastened to the end 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 39 

of the pole ; now make two holes in the ice as far 
apart as the length of the net and sink the pole and 
the net under the ice and fasten between the holes, 
attach two cords to one end of the net near the 
pole and bring up and fasten through the ice one 
near each hole. When you wish to examine the 
net draw together at one end of the hole by means 
of one cord and take it up through the hole which 
should be kept open. Remove the fish and drop 
back and spread out by means of the other cord. 
Sometimes nets are swung without any pole. In 
this case several holes are cut and the net arranged 
with cords so it can be examined through the mid- 
dle holes. 

SPEARING SALMON TROUT. 

This can be done in the late autumn. In order to 
be successful, good spawning beds are necessary. 
A good jack, plenty of fat pine, good weather, a 
good boat and spear and some experience. The 
jack is a sort of iron grid iron made of iron wire or 
rods and placed on a stick or post two or three feet 
high in the bow of the boat. In the jack is placed 
fat pine or birch bark, which when lighted gives 
light to those who paddle the boat and to the 
spearman. A good spear is very necessary. It 
should be made with four or five barbed prongs 
about five inches in length, and three quarters of 
an inch apart on a line with each other. The four 
outside prongs should be barbed with inside edges, and 
the middle one on both edges. The spear should 
be made of the best steel and carefully tempered. 
To spear Salmon Trout the operation is about as 



40 the hunter's guide, 

follows: Having arrived at the spawning ground 
kindle the fire in your jack, then stand near the bow 
spear in hand and watch the bottom for fish. The 
one who paddles the Canoe or boat should be in 
the stern and follow the spearman's directions in 
propelling the boat. The spearman must stand 
firmly in the boat and when he strikes at a fish 
should allow for the reflection of the water. A fish 
is always much deeper than he appears to be, and 
if you aim at where he appears to be you will most 
surely miss him. Practice is necessary to be a 
good spearman and like everything else connected 
with hunting and trapping can only be obtained by 
considerable experience. There are several secret 
arts much advertised as very valuable. We give 
them here, although they are not nearly as valua- 
ble as some suppose. All the following are exten- 
sively advertised at from $1 to $5 each. The first 
one we give cost the one who purchased it $5. It 
may be worth it. This however is a "trapping" se- 
cret, but we give it here for what it is worth. 
RECIPE FOR TRAPPING. 

No. 1. To Catch Game, — such as Mink, Musk- 
rats, Weasels, Raccoons, Otter, &c. Take 1 oz. 
of Valerian, 1-2 oz. of Commercial Musk, 1 pint of 
Whiskey. Mix together, and let it stand for two 
weeks. Put a few drops of this on your bait. 

No. 2. To Catch Foxes. — Take oil of amber and 
beaver's oil, each equal parts, and rub them over 
the trap before setting it. Set in the usual way. 

No. 3. To Catch Mink. — Take oil of amber and 
beaver's oil, and rub over the trap. Bait with fish 
or birds. 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 41 

No. 4. To Catch Muskrat.— In. the female musk- 
rat near the vagina, is a small bag which holds from 
30 to 40 drops. Now all the trapper has to do, is 
to procure a few female muskrats and squeeze the 
contents of this bag into a vial. Now when in 
quest of muskrats, sprinkle a few drops of this 
liquid on the bushes over and around the trap. 
This will attract the male muskrats in large num- 
bers, and if the traps are properly arranged, large 
numbers may be taken. 

No. 5. Chinese Art of Catching Fish. — Take 
Cocculus Indicus, pulverize, and mix with dough, 
then scatter it broad-cast over the water as you 
would sow seed. The fish will seize it with great 
avidity, and will instantly become so intoxicated 
that they will turn belly up on top of the water, by 
dozens, hundreds or thousands, as the case may be. 
All that you now have to do, is to have a boat or 
other convenience to gather them up, and as you 
gather, put them into a tub of clean water, and 
presently they will be as lively and healthy as ever 
This means of taking fish, and the manner o f 
doing it, has heretofore" been known to but few 
The value of such knowledge admits of no question- 
This manner of taking fish does not injure the flesh 
in the least. 

No. 6. Secret Art of Catching Fish.— Put the oil 
of rhodium on the bait when fishing with a hook, 
and you will always succeed. 

The above are undoubtedly of value in some pla- 
ces, but in using No. 5, care must be taken to get 



42 the hunter's guide, 

the fish into fresh water at once, otherwise they will 
not be fit to eat and might be poisonous. 



HEAD WATESS OF THE PENOBSCOT. 

The following is from the pen of the Rev. John 
Todd, and as it gives an excellent description of 
life in the wilderness we publish it and trust it will 
interest our readers. 

The morning at last broke, but I was too unwell 
to proceed, and my companion and guides were 
very patient in waiting for me. Near by was a 
beaver-house, at the foot of a small pond ; it was in 
the shape of a small hay-stack, though much small- 
er. 

The animal first cuts down young trees (with his 
teeth of course), and then cuts sticks off about two 
and a half or three feet long, and about as large as 
the arm of a man. These sticks are laid up so as 
to make the house octagonal or eight sided, and 
laid up just as children build a "cob-house," but 
they are all of the same length and size. Then 
with his tail he plasters the house inside and out, 
so as to make it perfectly round. This is done with 
mud, and the sticks are all covered and concealed. 
Then he has it divided into rooms, one below the 
water in which he keeps his birch bark, &g , for 
winter food. The second apartment is up out of 
water where he sleeps high and dry, but lest the 
waters should rise in the melting of the spring 
snows, he has a third room higher up still where 
he is always dry. It would be very difficult for 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 43 

any architect to make proportions more perfect, or 
a dome more beautiful. We were greatly interested 
in the habits of these animals, and the wonders of 
their instincts. A single beaver has been- followed 
more than sixty miles in the wilderness, and finally 
caught by the more shrewd hunter, this beaver fol- 
lowed up a river, and then passed through a ten 
mile lake, and then up another river forty miles ; 
but whenever he came to a brook that emptied into 
his travelling river he would stop, cut off sticks and 
leave them just above the brook to show that he 
had gone past the brook : but if he turned into the 
brook he would leave sticks just below the brook 
to show he had turned in there ; this was to com- 
municate, not with the keen hunter, but any beaver 
that might wish to follow him. Thus the very 
precision of his instincts makes him a prey to the 
stronger sagacity of man. 

After the recovery of strength sufficient to walk, 
for which I hope I returned unfeigned thanks to 
God, we resumed our tramp, and when we struck 
the Penobscot we found it a powerful, rapid, dan- 
gerous river. 

. But the Indians would run their canoes down 
rapids that were perfectly frightful. Sometimes we 
would get out and clamber around the huge rocks, 
and look with admiration upon Pamah, as the old 
man on his knees in the middle of his frail canoe 
would dash down falls that made one shudder to 
thick of going down. 

Sometimes his canoe would rush down among the 
i ocks, whirl round and leap like a thing of life ; but 
v hiriing or leaping, spinning or rushing, Pamah 



44 THE HUNTER'S GUIDE, 

never for a moment let it go out of his control. 
He would whirl and turn round as quick as a cat. 

And now we began to be short of provisions, and 
there was no way but to take the life of a moose. 

A moose is the largest species of deer, a beautiful 
and a homely, a graceful and an awkward, creature. 
He is very large and tall, and will weigh, fre- 
quently, a thousand pounds. Suppose you were to 
take the round body of a beautiful horse, cut his 
tail off short, give him the slender and beautiful 
legs of a deer, put an ass's head on a camel's neck, 
and on that head a pair of horns that will some- 
times weigh ninety pounds, and extend six feet 
each horn, and then paint him black as night and 
you have a pretty good moose. He will sometimes 
be eight feet high. The way we got them was 
this : In the darkest part of the short nights— for 
so far north the twilight of evening and the dawn 
of morning seem to meet within about two hours— 
you take your seat in the bow of the canoe. The 
Indian sits at the other end with his paddle, which 
he moves noiselessly, without ever taking it out of 
the water. The mosquitoes, the gnats, now come 
down upon you with a vengeance and a power that 
is unspeakable ; you may brush, and rub, and turn, 
but there they are myriads and myriads. Off you 
go over the beautiful Penobscot, over which the 
stars and bright aurora borealis and the graceful 
weeping elms and maples are hanging and watch- 
ing. Presently you hear a moose thrash like a huge 
ox, and then he blows like a whale ; that is, he 
goes into the river where the water is perhaps seven 
or eight feet deep, and thrusting his head down to 



AND trapper's companion. 45 

the bottom of the river he eats the long grass that 
grows there, and when his month is full, or when 
he must breathe he raises his head up out of the 
water and blows and snorts. When you first hear 
him, he is perhaps two miles off. Silently the In- 
dian shoots the canoe towards him. As you come 
near him you begin to tremble and forget the biting 
of the insects and think only of the great game be- 
fore you. Slowly the canoe goes towards him, 
keeping near the bank of the river, and in the deep 
shade of the trees. As you approach the moose 
you see a huge black something, without shape or 
form, only it is the blackest thing to be seen. 
Which way he stands or where his head is you can- 
not even guess. The Indian now gently shakes 
the canoe to let you know that he shall go no near- 
er. The black spot seems a great way off; you raise 
your rifle and guess as well as you can, and the fire 
leaps from the weapon of death, and the moose will 
probably be found within twenty rods of the spot, 
next morning. It seems cruel to kill so large a 
creature for food for four men ; but as to the cruelty 
and suffering, there is more suffering in a load of 
starving, bleating calves, which goes down the 
Hudson every night, than in killing a dozen moose 
every day. We killed but a few, and the skins 
(we gave them to our poor guides) were worth four 
dollars the skin. I found that the moose had no 
need to fear me or my rifle, for my companion nev- 
er drew a trigger without killing. 
• The meat is very lean, juicy and tender. We 
found it best fried in our short handled frying-pan ; 
but the Indians preferred it roasted on sticks over 



46 the hunter's guide, 

a hot fire. I forgot to say that in the Summer the 
animal is jet black, hair soft and glossy. The In- 
dians roast the shanks and legs and get out the 
large marrow and eat it with great avidit}-. It is 
the only butter or oil they can get, and the civilized 
man can hardly imagine how the human system 
craves for oil, esj>ecially in the cold climate. I 
never saw men at the daintiest turtle soup eat with 
greater relish than did our guides when they had a 
pile of "marrow bones" before them; but the 
"moose's upper lip," that is considered the ne xjIus 
ultra of all eating by those who are great judges in 
such matters. I have never heard any food — not 
even the beaver's tail — so highly commended as 
this. It is unlike anything I ever tasted ; but 
whether it was because I was unwell, or because 
my taste needed cultivation, I do not know, but 
though we had the upper lip many times, I never 
tasted it but once. 

Here on the Penobscot in the very wilds of na- 
ture, we found "Peter Mountain," an aged Indian 
living alone with his beautiful clog "Watch" in a 
little wigwam. He was a short chuck of a fellow, 
with long, coarse, grizzly hair, like a moose's mane, 
with no covering to his head, a flannel shirt and 
coarse trousers for his clothing. He was very deaf, 
mostly blind, and a half ludicrous, half hideous crea- 
ture. He had been in the service of the Hudson's 
Bay Company for seven years, had been to the 
Rocky Mountains, and in every great forest in the 
land. He was quick, agile and powerful in body. 
He joined himself to us and helped us, simply for 
company and board, and a hard bargain we should 



and trapper's companion. 47 

had at that if we had had to buy our provisions, 
for the amount which the three Indians ate was in- 
credible. They would get our supper, see us eat, 
then begin to roast, eat and talk in their tongue, 
and often the next morning would dawn before they 
got through supper. Fashionable people who turn 
day into night, and night into day have only 
reached the spot in refinement at which the savage 
has always been. In the ni^ht he eats and hunts, 
and in the day sleeps. Our guides were, however, 
faithful, attentive, and I never intimated a wish to 
Pamah but he mide me realize it if within the 
bounds of possibility. It was difficult to make them 
understand sacred truths, in religion especially. 
When we tried to press the conscience with re- 
ligious truth, they would parry it by saying: "Me 
no think" (don't understand it), or, "Indian know 
that already. "' They were very great talkers with 
each other, and very cheerful and buoyant in their 
stories. 



48 THE HUNTER* S GUIDE, 



A Young Trapper's Experience. 

BY JOHN P. HUTCHINS. 

We select the following from "The Trapper's 
Guide," a valuable book. Price $1.50 sent post- 
free by the publishers of this work. 

My earliest recollections are of the forest. My 
father was an experienced hunter and trapper, and 
when I was but five years of age I accompanied 
him on one of his expeditions into the great Maine 
wilderness in search of game and fish. I have a 
dim re«ollection on that occasion of hooking on to 
a very large fish, and of being unable, with my 
slender strength, to get him into the boat in which 
I was seated. This childish disappointment made 
quite an impression upon me, and I used anxiously 
to look forward to the time when I should be a 
match for any of the beasts of the wocds, or the 
fish in the waters. 

I was sufficiently old to endure the hardships of 
forest life, when my father took up his abode on 
the southern border of the great New York forest, 
sometimes called "John Brown's Tract." There 
we prosecuted the business of trapping in earnest. 

We stretched a line of traps nearly forty miles 
in length directly into the heart of the wilderness, 
over rivers, mountains, lakes ar^ plains ; and along 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 49 

this lme we diligently trapped the otter, fisher, 
marten, mink, muskrat and raccoon. 

To give an idea of the management of a practi- 
cal trapper in the woods, I will describe in detail 
the operations by which we subsisted, and took our 
game while in the woods. 

As our line of traps was about forty miles in 
length, and of course involved a journey of eighty 
miles to and from our home, our outfit became at 
once a very important consideration. In the first 
place, we must have enough to eat, and the means 
wherewith to cook our food ; and at the same time 
we must not overload ourselves with luggage, as 
every pound of our personal effects must be carried 
on our backs for long days, through a pathless wil- 
derness. The object then was to secure the great- 
est amount of nutriment with the least possible 
weight. 

And then, not only food, but other absolute ne- 
cessaries must be provided. We must have the 
means for procuring fire ; for securing game and 
fish ; for taking and disposing of our furs ; for 
keeping warm in a cold night, &c. ; all of which 
weigh down seriously, but can by no means be over- 
looked or omitted. 

I may as well here remark, that about one fifth 
of the luggage generally recommended by writers 
and book makers who treat of life in the woods, 
as suitable for the hunter's or trapper's outfit, will 
cover all his absolute wants. The remaining four- 
fifths the old woodman will consider as luxuries if 
not superfluities. 

I suppose that, as a general thing writers are 



50 the hunter's guide, 

not practical hunter's or trapper's, and this may 
account for the discrepancy I have mentioned. 

A trapper makes great account of his fire. 
Aside from its primary use in cooking his food, it 
oftentimes supplies the place of house and bedding. 
Some carry with them a light woollen blanket, but 
oftener the woodsman has only the earth for his 
resting place, and the heavens for his counterpane, 
a sheltered nook, where the wind cannot blow too 
rudely, a few hemlock boughs for his bed, and a 
foe just in proportion to the temperature of the 
season. 

Aside from the necessary supply of traps, the 
trapper's outfit can be reduced to about the follow- 
ing items : 

First. A basket or knapsack, to carry on his 
back, and large enough to hold provisions and oth- 
er necessaries for the journey. 

Second. Eatables, consisting principally, or 
wholly, of pork and flour; or, what is better on 
some accounts, a mixture of flour and indian meal, 
in the proportion of two parts flour to one of 
meal. 

Add to this a little saleratus and a small bag of 
salt, and a man can carry food sufficient with what 
game and fish he can procure to last him a month. 
It is mu«h easier to carry the flour in the woods 
and bake it as it is wanted, than to attempt to use 
bread already baked, as it is lighter and less bulky. 
When the woodman wishes for bread, he mixes the 
flour in a basin of .Varm water, adds a little sal- 
eratus and salt, and bakes it in his frying pan, or if 
that is not at hand on a chip. 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 51 

Third. Cooking utensils, namely : a small fry- 
ing pan, two tin basins of the capacity of one and 
two quarts respectively, and a small tin cup for 
drinking. 

Fourth. Implements for general use, namely : 
an axe, gun, knife, and pocket compass. 

Lastly, and above all, a good supply of matches. 

Every trapper should have a companion to assist 
him, as the same gun, axe and cooking utensils 
will suffice for both, and it is much less labor for 
two than for one to carry them. 

When the business of trapping is prosecuted on 
the borders of lakes and large streams, much hard 
labor is saved by the use of a boat. Those who 
make free use of boats are more lavish in their out- 
fit, as the labor of transportation is thereby very 
much reduced. 

I suspect that Mr. Newhouse has been more fa- 
miliar with this method than myself ; and this may 
account for any discrepancy between us in respect 
to outfit. 

When I began life as a trapper I lived, as I have 
said, with my father, on the southern border of the 
great New York wilderness ; so that our line of 
traps commenced not far from our home. 

This line was by degrees extended further and 
further into the forest, until it had reached the lim- 
it beyond which the provisions we would cany 
would not hold out. We began by carrying our 
traps into the woods, and distributing them along 
our intended line before the trapping season began ; 
So that when the time arrived that fur was suitable 



52 the huntek's guide, 

for market, we should have only to set onr traps 
and bait them, 

At the proper season we would shoulder our 
packs, containing as much provisions as we could 
carry, and commence carefully setting and baiting 
our traps. This process was continued as long as 
our provisions would allow, and then we would re- 
turn on the same line, examining our traps, skin- 
ning the animals taken, and stretching their furs. 
After a short interval, this process was repeated, 
and kept up while the season lasted. 

Our usual course was to follow rivers and 
streams, and visit all the lakes in the vicinity of 
our line. When following the streams, or the 
shores of the lakes, we would trap the beaver, ot- 
ter, mink and muskrat ; and when our line exten- 
ded over land and away from the water, we took 
the marten, fisher and raccoon. 

Our methods of setting and baiting traps, and 
our contrivances for circumventing animals were 
generally very like those recommended by Mr. 
Newhouse, and need not be detailed. 

In the course of my experience I had considera- 
ble practice in taking the fisher, and became some- 
what familiar with its ways. This is a very pretty 
creature, with glossy black fur, and a long bushy 
tail. But, like the cat, it has a temper that is not 
so mild and agreeable as its appearance might in- 
dicate ; nor does the close embrace of one of New- 
house's traps tend to mollify it at all. 

It frequently makes sad havoc with the trap 
and its apurtenances, and sometimes gets away 
after being fairly caught. I well remember a try- 



AND TRAPPEB*S COMPANION. 53 

ing experience I had with one of these animals in 
the North Woods. I had seen his tracks, and had 
carefully set my trap with all the usual fixings and 
fastenings, in full faith of his ultimate capture, but 
on going to the place the next day, trap and chain 
were clean gone, and all the fixings demolished. 
The fisher had been there, and had been caught, 
but instead of submitting handsomely to his fate, 
had gone and robbed me of a good Newhouse trap. 
(It was not Newhouse's fault.) He was a very 
large animal, and the spring pole was not strong 
enough to swing him clear of the ground. So after 
demolishing the inclosure in which the trap was 
set, and making a general smash of things around, 
he threw himself upon the pole, actually gnawed it 
off below where the ring was fastened, and left for 
parts unknown. 

How he finally disposed of the valuables he car- 
ried off, or whether he drew them about for the rest 
of his life, is left for conjecture. 

I have long since abandoned the woods, and my 
trapper's life seems like a dream of the past ; and 
yet I look back to it as a long and pleasant dream, 
despite of its many hardships and privations. 

In entering the woods I seemed to leave behind the 
jostlings and heartaches of crowded society — the 
great ' Horn" in which men are tumbling and cha- 
fing, — and went forward into the freedom and 
peace of undisturbed nature. 



54 the hunter's guide, 



DRESSING AND TANNING. 

However valuable the skin or fur of any animal, 
it is easily rendered worthless by not being proper- 
ly dressed and cured. We propose in a few words 
to give reliable methods for tanning Fur, &c., and 
will begin with 

THE MUSKRAT. 

The skin of the Muskrat is not only very tender, 
but as the flesh is very tough they will not bear 
fleshing until they have lain for several hours in 
a tan liquor made as follows : one peck Wheat 
Bran to four or five gallons of soft Water, quite 
warm, not hot, stir the Bran in the Water and let 
it stand in a warm place until it ferments, when 
add 3 pounds of Salt and stir until dissolved, then 
add and stir in slowly one to one and one-fourth 
pounds of Sulphuric Acid. The skin should be 
soaked for Muskrat say six hours, then flesh it on 
the flesh side of a Sheep skin. 

• OTTER. 

This is skinned by ripping down the back of each 
hind leg until the slits meet in the crotch, skin the 
body whole, don't rip up the belly, put a split stick 
over the-bone of the tail between the hide and body 
and skin in this way ; when skinned draw the hide 
over a stretcher and let it remain until dry. 



AND TEAPPEfi'S COMPANION. 55 

THE FOX 

is skinned very much the same and the skin treated 
the same. To skin the 

BEAVER 

yon must rip the skin same as you would a Sheep. 
Stretch it in all ways as much as possible, then it 
is to be dressed with equal parts of Rock salt and 
Alum dissolved in Water and made about as thick 
as cream by stirring in coarse Flour. This should 
be spread on nearly half an inch thick to be scraped 
off when dry and repeated if one time is not enough. 
This same process of dressing applies likewise to 
Otter skins. 

MINK. 

The skins should be treated with the same dres- 
sing, except when the paste is dry it should be 
scraped off with a smooth piece of hoop iron or a 
spoon bowl ; the skin should be stretched very 
tightly else the skin may shrink. Mink skins are 
in their prime from Dec. until about May, the rest 
of the year they are thin and poor. 

RACCOON. 

The skin of the Raccoon should be nailed to 
boards to dry, then treated to a paste of 1 oz. Alum ; 
1 oz. Salt ; about 1-2 drachm Sulphuric Acid ; 2 
gills Water and a little Wheat Bran It should 
when dry be scraped off with a spoon or other 
thing as in case of Mink skins. To work the skin 
soft, instead of nailing it on boards, roll it up and 
work it soft. 



56 THE hunter's guide 

BEAR SKINS 

are tanned in nearly same manner as Raccoon 
skins. 



DYEING HIDES. 

To color Buck skin Buff. — Five parts of Whiting 
to two parts of Ochre (yellow,) and mix them with 
Water to a paste, make into cakes and dry. When 
a dressed skin is dry rub one of the balls over the 
surface, rub the powder in. Take a piece of sand- 
paper and raise a nap on the leather by going over 
with it. 

To color Black use clear Logwood ; after it is dry 
use Copperas Water to blacken it. Be careful and 
not use too much Copperas. 

To color Dark Brown. — Five lbs. of Oak Bark ; 
four pounds of Fustic ; 14 ounces of Logwood. 
Use Alum Water (strong) to make it strike in. 

To color Drab. — Mix blue Clay with soft Soap ; 
add blue vitriol to shade the color. It can be made 
any shade you wish. 

Dark Brown. — One way is to take 1-2 oz. Crys- 
talized Nitrate of Silver and 4 ounces of Carb. Am- 
monia ; 3 gills of soft water. Apply to the sur- 
face of the fur with a brush. It should be kept in 
a bottle well corked. One application makes a 
handsome brown and by repeating a splendid black 
can be obtained. 

Remarks on Tanning. — Of course the first oper- 
ation is to soak the hide, as no hide can be proper- 



AND TRAPPER'S COMPANION. 57 

ly tauned unless it has been soaked and broken on 
a fleshing beam. If the hide has not been salted 
add a little salt and soak it in soft Water, In or- 
der to be thoroughly soaked green hides should 
remain in this liquor from nine to twelve days, of 
course the time varies with the thickness of the 
hide. The following liquor is used to remove hair 
or wool, viz : ten gallons cold water, (soft,) eight 
quarts slaked Lime and same quantity of Wood 
Ashes. Soak until the hair or wool will pull off 
easily. 

As it frequently happens it is desirable to cure 
the hide and keep the hair clean, the following paste 
should be made, viz : Equal parts of lime and hard 
wood ashes (lime should be slaked.) and made in- 
to a paste with soft Water. This should be spread 
on the flesh side of the hide and the skin rolled up 
flesh side in and placed in a tub just covering it 
with water. It should remain ten days or until 
the hair will pull out easily, then scrape off with 
a knife. 

Qil Dressing. — For curing Deer skins, &c, take 
the green hide, as soon as removed from the ani- 
mal and grain it. This is done by getting a beam 
seven or eight inches through and six to eight feet 
long, with two legs in one end and the other rest- 
ing on the ground so that it will stand at a steep 
slant. The beam should be of hard wood, should 
be clean and smooth and with no ridges on it. 
Take a knife, the corners should be whet smooth 
so as not to cut the skin. Set down the upper 
end of the beam against your belly and lay on the 



58 THE hunter's guide 

skin, hair side down and take off all unequal sub- 
stances before you turn the hair side up. Then 
commence to grain by beginning with the neck of 
the skin next to you, shoving it against the hair, 
holding firmly and using some strength it w r ill soon 
begin to go and bring a streak of grain. In this 
way hides are grained when green ; when dry they 
have to be soaked in Lime and Water until mellow 
and then treated same as a green hide. 

Dressing Deer Skin. — Put the skin into this liquid while 
warm, viz., eight quarts rain-water to 1 pint soft-soap. 
Warm it. Then punch the hide or work it with a stick, 
and let it lay one day. It is then to be taken out and 
wrung — rolled between two logs— or even a wringing ma- 
chine will be better. Then stretch it until it is diy, in the 
sun is best, or by a hot fire. Then oil it thoroughly with 
any oil convenient, i t should then be treated to the same 
bath of suds (heat quite warm) and lay another day. Then 
pull it out and dry as before. Any oil will do, but good 
iresh butter is better than anything else. When the skin is 
dry rub it with ochre, which will give it a splendid yellow 
<:oior. There are a dozen other methods, but the above is 
better than any other, and we do not care to occupy space 
with all the numerous processes. 

We have given all that is necessary to enable the Trap- 
per to cure his hides, and do not wish to publish itseless re- 
cipes. 



STILL THEY COME! 

More New and Elegant Colored Engravings, at the oldprices- 
Only 15 cts. each, 8 for $1, 20 for $2. 

No. 144. The Xorthern Beauty.— A splendid girl, life size. If you want a "per- 
fect picture" of a Yankee Girl here she is for only 15 cts. 

No. 145. The Southern Beauty.— Black hair and eyes, with roses on her cheeks 
and a beautiful face indeed, is this specimen of a southern girl. 

No. 146. The Eastern Beauty.— Out pen fail? us when we try to describe the 
charms of the elegant form, blue eyes and cherry lips of the "eastern beauty." 

No. 147. The Western Beauty.— "No you don't" is pretty plainly written on the 
features of this splendid girl. She will suit the Western boys. 

The above four pictures are elegantly colored, splendid engravings for framing, 
and only 15 cents each. 

No. 148. My Sweetheart.— This is a picture of a beautiful young lady, almost 
the prettiest we ever saw, and one of which any one might be proud of, either as 
friend or sweetheart. 

No. 149. My Favorite —Another elegant girl, with curls, necklace, black hair, 
&c, &c. She looks as if she might speak as pretty as she looks. 

Both above are colored, 15 cts. each. 

No. 150. Tlie Morning of Love.— This is a splendid picture. A beautiful lady 
is sitting in an arbor thinking of her lover. 15 cts. 

No. 151. The Evening of love.— The same lady is watching the stars as she 
waits for her lovers coming. The above are matched pictures, and very pretty. 

No. 152. The Fairest of the Fair.— Another pretty maiden, who will please 
many— as she is really pretty, and costs only 15 cents. 

No. 153. Spring.— Beautifully colored, twined with roses and flowers is this 
beautiful young girl emblematical of Spring. 

No. 154. Summer.— An equally pretty maiden represents Summer, with Charac- 
teristic costume. 

No. 155. Autumn.— Another season— well represented by a pretty Miss. — and 

No. 156. Winter.— Closes up the four seasons by a chilly representation of that 
chilly season. Above four all colored, and cost only 15 ets. each. 

No. 157. Easter Flowers.— A white cross entwined with elegant flow ers. We 
have never seen so pretty an engraving as this, of the kind, at any price; 15 cts. 

No. 15S. Good by Little Playfeftow.— The baby is sound asleep in his crib 
while its playmate, the dog, watches in a cnair by its side. A "cunning" picture. 

No. 159. Mischief and Music— Johnny has the base viel, Mary is at the piano, 
while Willie "blows his horn." Altogether they are having a good deal of a time. 

No. 160. The Capitol at Washington.— This is an elegantand perfect picture of 
the United States Capitol, at Washington, as it now appears. It is a fine picture. 

No. 161. Who's Afraid of You ?— Four puppies in a kennel spy a rat through 
the boards and at once give it their assistance. 15 cts. 

No. 162. The Children's Pic-nic.—A dozen boys and girls are having a nice 
time at a pic-nic, swinging, &c, &c. It is a pretty picture. 

No. 163. The Hudson at Cold Spring.— This is a view on the Hudson Biver, 
and makes a most beautiful landscape scene. 

No. 164, Placid Lake, (in Adirondock Mountains.)— This is an accurate view 
of a pretty lake nestled down among the mountains in Northern New York. 

Both above are very pretty. 15 cts. each. 

No. 165. The Royal Family of England.— A beautiftd engraving of Queen Vic- 
toria and her children. A pretty and life like picture. 

No- 166. "C. O.L>."— Cash on delivery. A "funny" scene. How it affects a 
"bummer." 

No. 167. The Velocipede,— "We can beat the swiftest steed with our new Veloc- 
ipede." A young gent on his Velocipede goes away ahead of a fast trotter. A 
lively picture for 15 cts. 

No. 16S. An American Homestead in Summer.— A highly colored picture of a 
country farm house in New England in the summer time. 

No. 169. Come take a Drink.— A jolly old gentleman with a "V" in his hand 
E J^ ep ^. u P t0 tne Dar an d gives the above invitation. Evidently he is not an "I. O. 
G. T.,"or"S. ofT." 

0) 



10,000 SOLD IN ONE YEAR 
A &ARE AND VALUABLE BOOK. 




OR, THE SECRET OUT. 

An Exposure of the Tricks and Deceptions of Gamblers and 
Blacklegs with Cards and Dice. Also a complete system oi 
Fortune Telling by Cards, and the 

Book of Wonders, or, Secrets Eevealed. 

An entirely new Book, 'with the above title, has just been pub- 
lished, handsomely printed and bound. 

PRICE REDUCED TO 20 CENTS. 

It exposes all tbe Secrets of Gambling, and "shows up" the 
tricks of Professionals with Cards, giving a complete expose of 
Telegraphing, Sauter La Coupe, Longs and Shorts, Reflectors, 
Convex and Concave Cards, Slipping, Saddling and Handling 
the Cards, Walking the Pegs, &c, &c. 

Also an explanation of Marked and Pricked Cards, Cheating 
with Dice, &c. 

Fortune Telling' by Cards. 

The most complete system ever published. Those who be- 
lieve in Fortune-Telling will find this a reliable medium in 
which to read the future, and to all it will be a source of much 
amusement. 

THE BOOK OF WONDERS, 

A Collection of Secrets, Arts, &c, 
Never before published, and of great value to every one. It 
contains the prescription and directions for causing Moustaches 
and Whiskers to grow on the smoothest face in from 42 to 90 
days, without injury or stain to the skin. This is alone worth 
ten times the price. of the book. 

The above is only a part of the contents of this valuable book. 
Every one who wants to know all the above, and a large num- 
ber of other great secrets, should read "HOW 'TIS DONE " 
Or, " The SecPwEt Out." Any one not satisfied with it, can 
have their money refunded. Notwithstanding the great cost of paper and 
printing, the price of the book will be ONLY 20 CENTS, or 6 Copies for 
$1.00, postpaid. Agents wanted. Great inducements. Send for a samplf 
copy. Ail orders must be addressed to HUNTER &' CO. , Publishers, 
(2] Hinsdale, N, H 



NEW SERIJ53. 

SPLENDID COLOKED ENGEAVINGS. 

SIZE 13x18. SUITABLE FOE FRAMING. 

We present the following list to our customers, confident 
that every one who buys one, will be sure to have more. AH 
are beautifully colored, and are sent everywhere by mail at only 
15 cts. each, or 8 for $1.00. 

1. The Soldier's Dream of Home. — A picture by the camp fire at 
night, with the Vision appearing in the distance. 

2. The Wife's Vision of the Battle. — She is sleeping, and sees 
her husband leading: his troops to victory. 

3. Mdl Pitcher on 'the Battle Field, or the Women of '76. A 
patriotic picture. 

4. The Spirit of the Union.— A beautiful picture. Washington 
appears to rebuke the spirit of rebellion. 

b. The Soldier's Grave.— A monumental picture, with an ap- 
propriate place for the name. 

6. The Soldier's Last Defence. — Some Yankee boys got corner- 
ed, and turned on the rebels for a last shot. 

7. The Soldier Boy on Duty. — A spirited picture. 

8. The Soldier Boy off Duty. — A match to above. 

9. The Happy Mother. — Young mother reclining in bed, playing 
with her little boy. 

10. The Queen of Love and Beauty. — A magnificent looking 
young girl seated"on the balcony of a castle. 

11. ^Rub-a-Dub. — Or Young America and his drum. A spirit- 
ed picture. 

13. A Brush on the Road. — A couple of boys in a wagon, show 
a gent with a " fast team " that the " old hos3 " is sometimes 
as good as a young one. 

IB. Corned Beef . — A ludicrous picture, showing what rum 
cherries did to two sober old cows. 

14. Family Register. — A colored piece for framing, with a Keg- 
istry for Births, Marriages and Deaths. 

15. Provisions Down. — A comic picture ; it speaks for itself. 

16. The Night after the Battle. — An affecting scene ; looking 
for the dead the night after the battle. 

17. The Hour of Victory. — A Zouave soldier waving the Stars 
and Stripes, and leading on his comrades to victory. 

18. Tlie Star Spangled Banner. — A splendid picture. It should 
be in every American home'. 

19. " Kiss me Quick"— -A fine picture, very natural. 

Any of the above Pictures will be mailed postpaid, to any 
address, at 15 cents each; 8 for $1. In ordering it is only nec- 
essary to give the number of ' ke nicture wantra, and say you 
want " Colored Pictures." 

Send all orders to HUNTER & CO., 

[3j Hinsdale, N. H. 



GOOD BOOKS AT 15 CENTS EACH, 



Courtship Made East ; or, the Art of Making Love fully Ex- 
plained. Containing full and minute directions for conducting 
a Courtship with Ladies of every age and position in society, 
and valuable information for persons who desire to enter the 
married state, relative to necessary Qualifications, Conditions, 
Attachments, Suitable Partners, &c. Also, Forms of Love Let- 
ters to he used on certain occasions. Price, 15 cents. 

Chesterfield's Art op Letter-Writing Simplified.— A 
guide to Friendly, Affectionate, Polite, and Business Corres- 
pondence. Containing a large collection of the most valuable 
information relative to the Art of Letter- Writing, with clear 
and complete instructions how to begin and end Correspond- 
ence, Rules for Punctuation and Spelling, &c, together with 
numerous examples of Letters and Notes on every subject of 
Epistolary intercourse, with several important hints on Love 
Letters. Price, 15 cents. 

Horse-taming by a New Method, as practiced by J. S. Rarey. 
A New and Improved Edition, containing Mr. Rarey's whole 
Secret of Subduing and Breaking Vicious Horses, together with 
his Improved Plan of Managing Young Colts, and Breaking 
them to the Saddle, the Harness, and the Sulky — with ten En- 
gravings illustrating the process. A handsome book of 64 
pages. Price, 15 cents. 

Knowlson's Farrier, and Complete Horse Doctor. — We have 
printed a new and revised edition of this celebrated book, which 
contains Knowlson's famous Recipe for the cure of Spavin,and 
other new matter. This new edition is the neatest and most 
convenient one that has been issued, being a small sized book 
for the pocket, and containing a full and complete index.— 
There is no disease to which the Horse is liable, that this book 
does not explain and point out the mode of treatment and the 
remedy. Some people may think that because the book is so 
cheap it can't be good for much. But they are mistaken. It 
is positively the best book of the kind ever written. We sell 
it cheap because of the immense demand for it. It contains 84 
pages, 18mo., and we mail it free for 15 cents only. 

The Game of Whist : Rules, Directions, and Maxims to be Ob- 
served in Playing it. Containing, also, Primary Rules for Begin 
ners, Explanations and Directions for Old Players, and the 
Laws of the Game — compiled from Hoyle and Mathews. Also, 
Loo, Euchre, and Poker, as now generally played — with an ex- 
planation of Marked Cards, &c. 18mo., 64 pp. Price 15 cents. 

Any of the above books promptly mailed to any address, 
postpaid, for 15 cts. each, or any four for 50 cts. All for 60 ets. 
Address, HUNTER & CO., Publishers, 

Hinsdale, N. H. 
[4] 



NEW LIST OF GOOD BOOKS. 

Any of the following- books will be securely wrapped and 
sent by mail post-paid to any address on receipt of the printed 
price which is in no case higher than the same would cost at 
the publishers counter. Order your books (of any and all 
kinds) only of the old established dealers. 

HUNTER & CO., Hinsdale, N. IT. 

The Secret Out ; or One Thousand Tricks with Cards. A 
Book which explains all the Tricks and Deceptions with Play- 
ing Cards ever known or invented. This book contains, in ad- 
dition to its numerous Card Tricks above described, full and 
casilyhmderstood explanations of some two hundred and forty 
of the most curious, amusing, and interesting Sleight-of-Hand 
Tricks ever invented, and which are illustrated by Engravings 
to make each Trick understood with ease. Illustrated by 
about 300 Engravings, and bound in a handsome gilt binding. 
It contains about four hundred pages. Price $1.50 

The Magician's Own Book, containing several hundred 
amusing Magnetical, Electrical and Chemical Experiments, 
Sleight-of-Hand and Card Tricks, Perplexing Puzzles, Enter- 
taining Tricks and Questions in Numbers, Secret Writing ex- 
plained. Illustrated with over 500 Wood Engravings, 12mo, 
cloth, gilt side and back stamp, 400 pages. Price $1.50 

The Art of Dancing. Historically Illustrated. By 
Edward Ferrero. To which are added Hints on Etiquette— 
the Figures, Steps, and Necessary Instruction for the Perform- 
ance of the most Modern Dances. Also, 108 pages of Dancing 
Music for the Piano, consisting of the most Fashionable Quad- 
rilles, Schottisches, Waltzes, Redowas, Polkas, and other pop- 
ular fancy dances. 12mo, cloth, illustrated. Price $1.50 

The Sociable ; or, One Thousand and One Home Amusements. 
Containing Acting Proverbs, Dramatic Charades, Acting Char- 
ades, or Drawing-room Pantomimes, Musical Burlesques, Tab- 
leaux Vivants, Parlor Games, Games of Action, Forfeits, Sci- 
ence in Sport and Parlor Magic, and a choice collection of cur- 
ious mental and mechanical puzzles, &c., illustrated with 
nearly 300 Engravings and Diagrams, the whole being a fund of 
never ending entertainment. By the author of "The Magi- 
cian's Own Book." Nearly 400 pages, 12mo, cloth, gilt side 
stamp. " The Sociable ; or, One Thousand and One Home 
Amusements,' is a repertory of games and other entertainments, 
calculated for the use of family parties, the fireside circle, or 
or those social gatherings amona; friends and neighbors which 
pass away the winter evenings with so much animation and de- 
light. It is impossible for any company to exhaust all the 
sources ofjrreproachable mirth and mutual enjoyment produced 
in this volume. Price $1.50 

Send all orders only to 

5 HUNTER & CO., Hinsdale, N. IT. 



THE TWO GREAT BOOKS. 



THE ROGUES AND ROGUERIES 

OF NEW YORK. 



Containing Exposures of all the Traps and Pitfalls of New York and other 
great cities, and of all the Swindles carried on through the mail. Many 
thousand copies of this work have heensold, and the testimony in its favor 
is universal. It shows up the Secret Side of Rascality, explains how all 
Humbugs are carried on, and is full of Stories and Anecdotes about Ras- 
cals and Humbugs. If you want to know about any particular "dodge," 
or if you wish to know who and what persons and things are "Catch-pen- 
nies" or " Gouges," read "Rogues and Rogueries." It is Interesting 
as well as Instructive. 124 large pages. P ice only SO cem . 



ALSO, JUST PUBLISHED, 
UNIFORM WITH "ROGUES AND ROGUERIES, THE 

light Side M New York. 

A MOST INTENSELY INTERESTING WORK. 

Depicting, in vived end glowing style, the varied sights and scenes of the 
Great Metropolis after dark. Here will he found descriptions of the 
Haunts of the Pugilist and Thief 5 the Gilded Saloon where the Fashiona- 
ble Gambler plucks his Fat Pigeons ; as well as the low Gambling Hells, 
where the Three-Penny Faro Keeper robs his victims; The Fashionable 
Club-Houses, an d'the squalid Dens of Misery and Crime; The Minstrel 
Dear: quarters, after the cork is off; The Tombs; The Station-Houses; 
The O ck-pits j The Palaces of Yice, and the Vile Dens of Infamy; The 
Gin-Mills and Drinking Holes; Scenes of Fashionable Life among the 
" Upper Ten ;" and all the peculiarities of the Great City at Night. Every 
r-cene described, and every statement made in this book, is strictly true. 
There is no exaggeration, for nene is needed. The simple narration of 
facts is more powerful and entrancing than any fiction could possibly he. 
The wc rk shows you New York just as it is ; and every one who desires to 
be " jested," will read it. There is no pandering to a vitiated taste; but 
the vilest and most iniquitous scenes are described in an unexceptional 
manner. A large book printed on iine paper. Price 30 cents mailed free. 
Either of the above books Avill be mailed to any address post-paid for 30 
cents each or both together for only 50 cents. Address 

HUNTER & CO , 

Publishers, 
8 Hinsdale, K II. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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